Building wardens

The following outlines the duties of Emergency Control Organisation members on noticing or becoming aware of an emergency.

Responsibility for developing and implementing emergency procedures at the University rests with management:

Vice-chancellor

deans

heads of school.

The Emergency Control Organisation facilitates the safe and orderly implementation of the emergency procedures in a building, including the evacuation of the occupants from the building when appropriate. The Emergency Control Organisation is a structured organisation of people employed within a building who take command on the declaration of an emergency, pending the arrival of the fire brigade or other emergency service.

The Emergency Control Organisation comprises and outlines the duties of:

Management should encourage the implementation of an Emergency Control Organisation and emergency evacuation procedures within all workplaces at the University. It is their ultimate responsibility to ensure that:

Members are appointed to the Emergency Control Organisation for the building

Emergency Control Organisation members have training in emergency procedures

Management support the Emergency Control Organisation with appropriate resources and authority.

Members of the Emergency Control Organisation should be mature, responsible, physically capable and have the confidence of building occupants.

During emergencies, instructions from UWA Emergency Control Organisation personnel and fire and rescue services personnel overrule the normal management structure.

For buildings with joint occupancy, all areas shall contribute members to the Emergency Control Organisation in proportions of equivalent full-time staff in occupancy.

Building warden

A building warden on becoming aware of a potential emergency shall determine the nature of the emergency and decide on the appropriate action. If an emergency is declared, the building warden shall initiate the emergency procedures including the following actions:

ensure that the appropriate emergency service has been notified. This can be achieved by contacting UWA Security on phone (+61 8) 6488 2222

ensure that the area wardens are advised of the situation

initiate evacuation of the building/workplace

brief emergency service personnel on their arrival and thereafter act on the instructions of the emergency service's senior officer

being available, or organising area warden cover, at all times that the building is normally occupied

organising and distributing to all wardens and to all building occupants relevant information for use in an emergency, including details of the fire alarm system , the emergency warning system and the emergency procedures

prominently displaying evacuation procedures and plans for areas. Assistance in this can be obtained from UWA Safety and Health

maintaining and distributing to all building occupants a current list of all area wardens and their deputies, including telephone numbers and locations

Area wardens should be appointed for each floor or zone of a building, to control the emergency procedures for that area, generally as directed by the building warden. However, area wardens have the authority to evacuate their area if there is any impending danger.

Area wardens must be familiar with:

the operation of the fire alarm system, the emergency warning system and any other equipment used to assist in the operation of emergency procedures for the building

the area, floor or zone, they represent, including:

all means of egress and alternative escape routes

the existence and position of rooms leading off blind passages; doors leading to dead-ends and any other confined areas in which persons could be located

potentially hazardous materials or operations undertaken in their zone

the location and operation of fire doors, smoke doors, fire blankets, portable fire extinguishers and fire hoses in their area

the number and location of mobility-impaired persons in their area

It is important that an area warden or a deputy area warden be available for each area during periods of normal occupancy. If possible, at least one area warden should be appointed each twenty persons employed in every area.

Deputy area wardens

A deputy area warden should be appointed for each area warden. These deputies assume the responsibilities of the area warden when the latter is absent and otherwise assist as required.

First aid personnel

On hearing the alarm, personnel will make contact with the building warden and make their way to the building assembly area with equipment to render first aid as required.

Specialists

Depending on the area, building or otherwise, a specialist may be required in the case of special hazards that may arise in the event of a fire in the area. An example would be a chemist who can assist with the assessment on the effects of certain chemicals in a fire environment.

Visibility

To assist building occupants and emergency services personnel to identify Emergency Control Organisation personnel during an emergency the building warden and all area wardens should wear red caps with 'Warden' written on them. These caps can be obtained from UWA Safety and Health on (+61 8) 6488 3938.

Indemnity

All University building and area wardens are protected under the terms of the University's Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance policies whilst undertaking their duties. These policies apply to all University staff provided they act within the scope of their duties and training and/or act in good faith. Protection is not provided under these policies for non-University related activities.